Issue 114 - April 30, 2007
IMGs Participating in 2008 Match Should Register for Step 2 CS Now
International medical students/graduates, including participants/graduates of Fifth Pathway programs, who need to pass Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) to participate in the 2008 Match (in March 2008) are strongly encouraged to register now for Step 2 CS. At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center was in August 2007. As indicated in the 2007 Step 2 Clinical Skills Schedule for Reporting Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2007, your result will not be available in time to participate in the 2008 Match.
We are aware that both international medical students/graduates and students/graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada must take Step 2 CS to satisfy specific requirements and deadlines, and the Step 2 CS scheduling system is designed to handle a high volume of examinees. However, demand for the Step 2 CS examination will be especially heavy during the second half of 2007. Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to scheduling restrictions that limit the number of test dates available to you. To maximize your chances of obtaining a 2007 test date,
- Apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Once registered, schedule your testing appointment as soon as possible.
- If you cannot obtain a testing appointment at your preferred test center, check for availability at other test centers.
Registering and scheduling now offers a number of benefits:
- Registered applicants can schedule immediately if a preferred testing appointment is available.
- Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can use the E-mail Notification feature of on-line Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling. Currently offered on a pilot basis, the E-mail Notification feature allows registered applicants to indicate their preferred test dates/centers and receive e-mail notification when testing appointments that match their preferences become available.
- Applicants who schedule a testing appointment can change the testing appointment without cost, provided they give more than 14 days’ notice. See Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.
- Applicants who take Step 2 CS early in the year and receive a failing result might have the opportunity to retake the exam in 2007 and receive their result in time to participate in the 2008 Match.
Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the ECFMG website as it becomes available. Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for the latest information.